Opinions on this Duck, Please.

I'm starting to get that funny feeling again. Any opinions on this bike appreciated.

900SS in Asheville

 

900ss is a great bike. they are (with mods listed) wheelie machines and very good in the twisties. i prefer the full fairing 900ss more than the cr but would also note the cr does not come w/ fully adjustable front fork like the full fairing ss does.

that said, this bike has some good mods and the giacomotos sound fantastic and as they are low pipes...you can still have a passenger along.

very good wheels...i wonder what the width of the rear is?

while the wheels were upgraded, the brake rotors are still stock steel and not grey cast iron floaters like i would hope for but not a deal killer.

flat slides wake a 900 ss up nicely as well as sound even better.

i wonder with that mileage if a 944 big bore kit was also installed?

good chioce in dot rubber.

could be a great bike and with the exception of the price seeming a bit high, looks like a nice package. $4k is fair money if as good as it looks and sounds.

very great adult bkies and can still do all one needs to keep up at the gap!

pcb

 

and btw...let's call it a duke! so much cooler than a duck!! lol

 

Sadly the name Duke has been usurped.

I always liked the idea of "Ducks and Geese" (Ducatis and Guzzis)!
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Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I appreciate the SP for the upgrades, but I sure like to see a little motor under the tank!

The price is down to $4500, at a Ducati dealer, so not a bad place to start. No mention so I'm sure the bike needs a service.

 

Pics from OP in case ad gets deleted
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I understand the only real weak spot is possible irreparable fracture of the swing-arm and the forks cannot be rebuilt?

 

the rear swing arm can always be replaced w/ the sp part. no problems. i loved my 93 ss and would also say that black wheels are a must!

 

how much is the 20k service on a Ducati? valve adjustments, I assume, on a desmo motor?

otherwise the bike looks decent in those pics. I too like the 900SS, not quiet a sport tourer but more comfortable (and probably less likely to bite back) than a true sportbike.

have you owned one before? Will you be disappointed with its level of performance after some of the other bikes you've owned?

 

No. I had a 916. I'm older and less bendable. I don't need a lot of HP.

 

I think it's a big plus that it's being offered by a Ducati dealer...I wouldn't expect they would retail a bike that old if they didn't feel pretty good about it. Ad mentions new chain, sprockets and tires, so (depending on what "new" means to them) it sounds like it has been serviced recently.

Seems to me the "grins per dollar" ratio would be off the charts...go for it!!

 

I do not like the fact there is only the upper fairing, leaving all the components exposed down below.
The oil cooler is hanging down there like an afterthought.
The same goes for the oil reservoirs for the front brake and the clutch: why can't they do a better job than hanging those ridiculous plastic jars with one screw on a bracket?
For the price one pays for a Ducati they should use top of the line components, not cheap plastic stuff.

 

I like the look of the half fairing bikes. As for problems, they will have all been rectified by this point in build run. Early models had head bolt and frame issues at the headstock.

I also agree that the flatslide carbs are the way to go. I have ridden all kinds of "super" bikes up to a 1098R and I can tell you with this bike, you will not be bored. As for black wheels, I disagree:
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Whoa, that's a nice bike! I searched high and low for a black 900SS... never did find one.

 

I have had 3 900SS-SP/SL's, seen head bolt problems, cracked swingarms, leaking oil, rectifier failures, etc. but I still love them as a visceral, simple oil and air cooled, fairly lightweight, torquey L twin with good grunt and great sound. I would choose an SP model over this as you can get them with all the same mods (except wheels) in the $2500-$3K range and they have adjustable Showa forks and a full fairing. I prefer the 42MM flatslides over the 44MM's. They just work better with the stock cams and airbox. These bikes are about midrange. The heads are so inefficient that they are done by 7500 RPM unless you want to throw money at headwork.

I saw a perfect FE go for $3000 last year with 4400 miles on it, with high carbon pipes, solo tail. Much better deal than this, IMO.

I would say to keep looking......unless those wheels seal the deal for you. I am guessing that the rear is a 5&1/2" hoop width?, BTW. This bike doesn't need a tire wider than a 180 on it.

 

Thanks. I always find a 180 turns A LOT better than a 190.

Anyone find me a perfect 900SS for $3000, you got $500 in your pocket. PM me.

 

how about this one? not perfect, but cheap

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-DUCATI-900-SUPER-SPORT-900SS-900-SS-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ130362710853QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles?hash=item1e5a391b45#ht_840wt_795

 

Wrong model. It has the gas-tank-that-pokes-in-your-fat-belly-and-reminds-you-that-you-are-51.

 

oops

 

The CR isn't worth $4500, but is worth more than $3000. $3500-3800 is probably more like it. The SP offers upgrades like the aluminum swingarm and the big one is adjustable suspension.

As far as buying from a Ducati dealer, that would not be a big plus or minus in my experience. I bought both of mine from Ducati dealers and had to take the fairings off both literally the first day on each to fix issues that should have been addressed during their service before I took receipt of the bikes.

The price in today's market for an SP is close enough to the CR, buying a CR doesn't make much sense to me. I have been thinking about getting one as well, but only the SP.

Here is an example that looks pretty good, this one just sold over the weekend.
http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195691

And a couple more around the country.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/1551534677.html
http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/1994-Ducati-Supersport-900-SP-95053872

 

now THATS a nice machine.

I mean DANG that's a nice machine!

I need to get A LOT pickier!

 

I would say no more than $3500 otd. I paid $5000 for a mint 96 SP 10 years ago. Great bike and tons of fun to ride. Not a mountain of HP but plenty of torque and such a sweet sound. I think keep looking unless they are willing to cut a deal.

Good luck.

 

I think I know the answer, but curious why the 900SS over a 916/996/998 - is it purely comfort or something else?

I love the 900SS both CR and SP, but slightly less so than a 916 variant, or even the last run of 888 bikes. I don't ride much anymore since my kids were born, but if I were to acquire a toy, it would likely be one of those.

Again, just curious as you already owned a 916.

 

The 900 is a 2 valve motor and air cooled so maintenance costs are lower and it has a different power delivery than the 4 valve motor. Then it is far more comfortable than the 916 series but still more capable in the turns than most of the average Joes riding them.
I miss my 748 for the way it looked and at the track but I miss the 900 as an all arounder.


Oh and I prefer Duc to Duke.

 

It's been awhile since I looked at these - what is the scheduled maintenance and how does it compare to the 4-valve Superbike motors?